More than Kshs.9 million in prize money and scholarships are up for grabs in the ongoing Zuku Basketball University League (ZUBL) 2013 season.

Winners of the gruelling yet scintillating league will benefit from two scholarship opportunities being donated courtesy of American film and television actor, Samuel L. Jackson valued at Kshs.5,000,000 (US$60,000). League sponsors East Africa Pay TV provider Zuku, has also committed Kshs.3 million (US$36,000) to cater for an additional two students’ university education, for a period of four years.

The league, which ends in October, received massive backing after Zuku injected KShs.50 million to run the league countrywide. Part of the sponsorship deal includes coach and referee clinics and a basketball magazine show ‘Baqe’ airing on Zuku Sports.

Speaking during the announcement of the scholarship opportunities at Nyayo National Stadium, Zuku Head of Sports, Gary Rathbone challenged corporates to create more opportunities for the youth to develop their talents in sports and improve social welfare.

“We kicked off ZUBL as a platform for the youth to engage in a sport that results in physical and relational growth. These scholarships are further evidence of Zuku’s commitment to supporting and nurturing local talent and will work towards providing these students with resources needed to excel,” said Rathbone.

Samsung Electronics is also sponsoring the league to the tune of KShs 8.2 million. The tournament has brought together over 39 universities across the students and University officials expressed excitement during the event that saw Technical University of Kenya take on Mount Kenya University Nakuru while UON challenged MKU Thika in a thrilling competition at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The ZUBL reward scheme will also see the national men and women university team champions walk away with Kshs.150,000, while the first and second runners up will receive Kshs.75, 000 and Kshs.40, 000, respectively.